Poll: Get Congress’ approval before Syria strike

Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed in a national NBC News poll believe that President Obama should get approval from Congress before taking military action against the regime of Syria’s President Bashar Assad, after it used chemical weapons on its own population.

The poll of 700 people, taken August 28-29, showed Americans of mixed emotions about military action.

President Obama: Public feels he should consult with Congress before taking military action against Assad regime in Syria.

In one finding, 50 percent said the United States should not intervene militarily, while 42 percent supported intervention.

When a different question was asked — Should a military strike be limited to cruise missiles launched from Navy ships in the Mediterranean — 50 percent voiced support with 42 percent opposed.

Still, only 21 percent agreed that intervening militarily in Syria is in America’s national interest. Thirty-three percent disagreed, while 45 percent said they did not have adequate information to voice an opinion.

President Obama received a 44 percent job approval rating in the poll, tied for the lowest of his presidency. Summers have been a season of doldrums in public approval for the 44th president.